Sunday, September 20, 2009

A Taste of the South

Every now and then, we at More Hardball like to discuss our other favorite topic: BEER! Over the past few months, we have introduced several different breweries to the blogsphere; a tradition we would like to continue. Today, we are unveiling our official beer emblem, one that we will use to provide our readers with an easy link to some of our recommended brews.

I am also taking the opportunity to introduce to you all (or y'all) a brewery from my back yard - Natty Greene's Brewing Company in Greensboro, North Carolina. Natty Greene's began its life as a downtown bar and grill, but in 2004, the folks there began brewing their own tasty beverages. Very recently, the microbrewery has begun bottling and distributing their beverages to the general public. Natty Greene's produces five core beers, and a wide variety of seasonals. Like the brewery itself, each beer gets its name from Greensboro's Revolutionary War past. Their core beers include:

Guilford Golden Ale - A very light session beer with only 3.8% alcohol by volume. Brewed with English yeast and hops, and a blend of English, German, and Belgian malts it is a refreshing brew that goes best with a salad, cheese pizza, or chicken fingers.Natty's Pale Ale - I am a fan of pale ale's and this one does not disappoint. With an abv of 5.3%, it has a medium body, with a slightly bitter bite and a dash of citrus. The finish is one reminiscent of pines. I highly recommend this wonderful brew, especially if you're enjoying a juicy steak, or beef kabobs.Buckshot Amber Ale - A full bodied brew with an abv of 4.8%. The flavor is smooth, with hints of caramel and toffee. Several of these brews go down very easily. Of all the beers Natty Greene's makes, this one is probably my favorite. This beer goes best with the more Italian dishes that blend meats and cheeses, or include pepperoni, or salami.Old Town Brown Ale - This brew is a dark, traditional English style brown ale (abv 4.4%). The geniuses at Natty Greene's have added toasted malt and a bit of chocolate to the mix for a slightly sweet taste. If you're a fan of dessert and a fan of beer, this is the brew for you. Old Town Brown also took the Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado back in 2006. General Stout - For those of you who like dark Irish stouts, this is your beer. It is a full-bodied brew with roasted barley, Maris otter and flaked barley malts, and Columbus hops. While it packs a punch to your taste buds, its abv of 4.5% keeps you able and ready for a few more.